In relation to Samsung’s smartphone lineup, the Galaxy S collection is just about on the prime, no less than in the event you do not depend foldables. Nevertheless, through the years, the corporate has poured extra flagship options into its mid-range Galaxy A collection telephones, permitting customers to expertise extra to much less. That is what Samsung has completed with the newest Galaxy A54 5G, and so we determined to match the cellphone to the flagship Galaxy S23 to present you an concept of how they stack up and what you are lacking out on by going for the cheaper mannequin.
In relation to design, nicely, these two telephones are almost an identical. Samsung went with a brand new design language for 2023, which it is apparently incorporating into all its smartphones. This implies a flat show (minus the slight curve on the S23 Extremely), a flat body, and particular person digital camera lenses protruding from the rear panel as an alternative of a extra distinct digital camera island.
The result’s a really clear, easy design that interprets nicely throughout units. The S23 would not actually stand out due to it, however it makes the A54 look extra premium solely by having the identical design. The giveaway, nonetheless, is the show, which isn’t solely bigger at 6.4 inches but in addition has extra sizeable bezels than the Galaxy S23, particularly on the backside, the place the chin is only a hair thicker.
If dimension issues, you could need to take a look at the A54, however in order for you one thing a bit extra pocketable, the S23 is a good small Android cellphone .
Each telephones look almost an identical, however refined variations between them make it straightforward to inform them aside.
Samsung did the Galaxy S23 soiled with its shade choices. The Galaxy S23 colours are simply… uninteresting and uninteresting. Lavender is perhaps essentially the most attention-grabbing, however I am not a fan of the pastels, and the inexperienced is an enormous step down from the Galaxy S22 . Even the unique Lime and Graphite are fairly uninteresting.
Luckily, you may all the time swap issues up with a Galaxy S23 case , of which there are lots to select from. And given what you are paying for the cellphone, we all the time advocate a case to guard your gadget, irrespective of how powerful it’s.
The Galaxy A54 5G has a way more vibrant violet colorway, which actually stands out. Sadly, that is the one shade moreover black, no less than in america, though there are Lime and White choices in different areas. However once more, if you cannot discover the colour you need, you are most likely higher off grabbing a Galaxy A54 5G case .
Each telephones function an IP score for water and dirt resistance, which is good in the event you’re somebody who spends plenty of time close to water or lives in Seattle (like me). The Galaxy S23 has a leg up on safety, because of the Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the back and front and the aluminum body. The Galaxy A54 sports activities Gorilla Glass 5 and a plastic body, which ought to nonetheless carry respectable safety.
Samsung Galaxy A54 5G vs. S23: It is the within that counts
(Picture credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)
It is no shock that the Galaxy S23 has the extra spectacular specs of the 2, making it one of many greatest Android telephones you should buy proper now. The show could also be smaller, however its dynamic refresh price can change the refresh price relying on the state of affairs, which helps minimize down battery use. It additionally has an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, which is a little more safe than the optical one used on the A54 5G. And, in fact, the mid-range Exynos 1380 cannot maintain a candle to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.
In my use, the Galaxy S23 carried out like a champ, dealing with all the things I threw at it just like the little velocity demon it’s. And the perfect half is that I did not expertise any extreme warmth like I usually do with the S22. The Galaxy S23 is actually an enormous beast in a small package deal.
That mentioned, the A54 5G isn’t any slouch. In truth, it matches the Galaxy S23, notably relating to RAM, storage (which is expandable solely on the A54), main digital camera sensors, and software program assist, all whereas providing extra choices for customers that won’t want as a lot energy.
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Class
Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
Samsung Galaxy S23
Software program
One UI 5.1 (Android 13), 4 OS upgrades, 5 years of safety updates
One UI 5.1 (Android 13), 4 OS upgrades, 5 years of safety updates
Show
6.4-inch AMOLED (1080 x 2340), 120Hz, as much as 1,000 nits
6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X (1080 x 2340), 120Hz (48-120Hz), As much as 1,750 nits
Chipset
Exynos 1380
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
Storage
128GB, 256GB (expandable)
128GB, 256GB
RAM
6GB, 8GB
8GB
Connectivity
5G (sub-6, mmWave), Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, Wi-Fi 6
5G (sub-6, mmWave), Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, Wi-Fi 6E
Safety
Optical fingerprint sensor, Face unlock
Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, Face Unlock
Battery & Charging
5,000mAh, 25W wired
3,900mAh, 25W wired, 15W wi-fi, 4.5W reverse wi-fi
Safety
IP67, Gorilla Glass 5
IP68, Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Dimensions & Weight
158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2mm, 202g
70.86 x 146.3 x 7.62mm, 168.1g
Colours
Superior Graphite, Superior White, Superior Lime, Superior Violet
Phantom Black, Cream, Inexperienced, Lavender, Graphite, Lime
Even so, the downsides are considerably apparent. It has a weaker chipset, and the show is bigger and never as sharp or brilliant because the S23. There’s additionally no wi-fi charging, which is not a dealbreaker for a lot of, however it’s nonetheless a useful function to have.
The A54 sports activities a a lot bigger battery than its flagship counterpart, however the S23 additionally has a extra environment friendly chipset. In my use, the S23 lasts roughly a day on a single cost, which is about what I might anticipate from the A54. Nevertheless, as soon as we check out the cellphone, we’ll have a greater concept of what to anticipate.
One function you may like is the expandable storage on the Galaxy A54. Samsung stopped placing this function on its flagships some time again, forcing us to fork out extra dough for bigger storage choices. Luckily, the A54 5G permits you to use a microSD card , which makes it straightforward to maneuver content material from gadget to gadget.
All in all, Samsung has stuffed some spectacular specs within the A54 at a really engaging value.
Samsung Galaxy A54 5G vs. S23: Smile for the digital camera
(Picture credit score: Samsung)
The digital camera programs on each telephones are pretty related, consisting of a 50MP main sensor and a 12MP ultrawide. There are slight variations, nonetheless, and whereas the Galaxy S23 has a 3x telephoto digital camera, the A54 opts for a macro digital camera.
The 50MP principal sensor on the S23 shoots fairly good photos, however in my expertise, it may be considerably inconsistent. Saturation and distinction generally is a bit heavy at instances, and whereas the cellphone would not overexpose the sky like I usually discover, clouds can seem muted and uninteresting.
That mentioned, this is not all the time the case, and you’ll positively seize loads of good photos utilizing every of the lenses. This contains lowlight and nighttime photos, because the cellphone manages to tug loads of gentle. Video seize can be fairly good and goes as much as 8K at 30fps, whereas the upgraded front-facing digital camera additionally takes nice selfies, even in portrait mode.
Under are some pictures taken with the Galaxy S23:
Picture 1 of 5
(Picture credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)
(Picture credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)
(Picture credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)
(Picture credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)
(Picture credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)
With related digital camera sensors for the first and ultrawide, the A54 ought to be capable of seize photos of comparable high quality. After all, a part of how the cameras course of these photos comes from the chipset, so there could also be some variations within the output.
Macro cameras aren’t very helpful, and this can be the least used sensor on the digital camera until you continuously end up attempting to get actually close-up photographs of objects.
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Cameras
Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
Samsung Galaxy S23
Rear digital camera 1
50MP Large-angle, f/1.8, 1.0µm
50MP Large-angle, f/1.8, 1.0μm (12MP 2.0μm), 85°
Video (Rear digital camera 1)
4K/30fps, 1080p/60fps, 720p/480fps
8K/30fps, 4K/60fps, 1080p/240fps
Rear digital camera 2
12MP Ultrawide, f/2.2, 1.12μm, 123°
12MP Ultrawide, f/2.2, 1.4μm, 120°
Rear digital camera 3
5MP Macro, f/2.4
10MP Telephoto (3x), f2.4, 1.0μm, 36°
Entrance-facing digital camera
32MP, f/2.2, 0.8μm
12MP, f2.2, 1.12μm, 80°
Video (Entrance-facing digital camera)
4K/30fps, 1080p/60fps,
4K/60fps, 1080p/60fps
After all, we’ll have to check the Galaxy A54’s cameras earlier than we will actually come to a conclusion about its capabilities and the way it stacks as much as the Galaxy S23. As soon as we do, we’ll replace this part to present our full ideas on the digital camera system.
Samsung Galaxy A54 5G vs. S23: Which do you have to select?
Deciding between these two telephones could appear apparent on the floor, however they’re extra alike than even their design suggests. Regardless of the mid-range chipset, the Galaxy A54 5G is among the greatest low-cost Android telephones available on the market and meets the S23 with lots of the similar specs, which means you may have one thing of a flagship expertise for almost half the value.
Due to that, all of it comes right down to what you worth extra in a smartphone. If you would like the perfect gaming expertise, essentially the most versatile digital camera setup, and different perks like wi-fi charging and a harder, extra premium construct, then the S23 is your cellphone. However in the event you’re trying to save just a few hundred bucks and do not care about having the perfect of the perfect, then I might recommend the Galaxy A54.
After all, you will should cope with the Exynos chipset, which frequently will get a nasty rap in america (or anyplace, actually). However assist for exterior storage is a plus for a lot of, and Samsung gives the identical replace promise because the S23 and different latest Galaxy units, which means the cellphone ought to final you simply as lengthy, which additionally makes the $450 price ticket all the higher.
The wanna-be flagship
The Galaxy A54 5G takes after the Galaxy S23 when it comes to design, show, and lots of different specs, making this cellphone an important choice for patrons on the lookout for a flagship expertise at a less expensive price ticket.
The true brief king
In case you’re on the lookout for a small, pocketable, but highly effective smartphone, the Galaxy S23 is an effective alternative. It has glorious battery life, excellent efficiency, and all you’d anticipate from a flagship cellphone in 2023 (together with the value).
